The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1887-08-03
A DOUBLE GAME.

Arden kept genteel boarders, and Syb-
il, with all her beauty, WIS not ashamed
10 avail herself Of the advantages offered
by the hard-working widow.
Mn. Tayler Arden had a heart, over
laid though it was with the callousing ex-
perience of years, and she was fond OF
the pretty niece, and ambitious that she
should make what the world calls a
brilliant match. Nor did it seem at all
unlikely, when one looked at Sybil, with
her superb masses Of purple-black hair,
great oriental eyes, and q complexion ike
cream.
Ms. TAYLOR Arden had come up from
the kitchen. where she was making mince
pies, with the big pastry apron tied about
her waist and sleeves rolled high above
her elbows.
sybil lay on the sofa, dreaming over a
novel. her dress fashioned of soft blue
merino, her fingers glittering with rings
one of the human lilies of the field,
who toll not, neither DO they spin"
Mrs. Arden never thought Of asking
Sybil TO help about the house.
at would spoil her beautiful white
hands" said Mrs. Arden.
She sat up as the elder lady came into
the room carrying a card.
I'm not asleep, Aunt Jane. What is
it?"
"He's called. | took the card from
Norah just now. He is in the parlor-"
(Which he?"
"Mr. Neville, 10 be sure"
"Oh," said Sybil eleyating her pretty
eyebrows "Tll be down directly. And
Aunt Jane"
"Well, my dear?"
IF Mr.. Eldon calls, Jet Norah say I'm
not at home-at least until Neville is
gone, do not care TO have them meet"
Aunt Jane shook her head.
"Sybil. sybil, beware" said she
Why don't you care for them to meet ?"
sybirs eyes sparkled with mischevious
glee.
Because am engaged 70 both of them
at once, Aunt Jane, answered she.
"0h, sybil?"
@well, where's the harm? A girl must
make up her mind which she likes best.
George Neville has brown-stone house
and pair Of housekeeping horses to be
sure: but Kate Dorrance has written 10
her cousin in Boston 10 know if il is true
that jameson Eldon is - rich. Ii would
be dreadfully awkward TO make mis-
take in matter 50 important as this
Aunt Jane sat down on an opposite
chair and shook her head.
I'm afraid it is not right, Sybil
why isn't il right? I'm sure poor
girl is bound TO do the best she can for
herself, isn't she ?7
" But Sybil, which do You love best ?"
q DO let me take care of my own busi-
ness. Aunt Jane, and you attend 10
yours,' CURLY interrupted Sybil, as she
swept out of the room. clasping an emer-
aid bracelet ON her arm as she went-a
bracelet that had been the gift of Mr..
Neville himself. For Miss Arden was
not at all too fastidious to accept costly
presents from her gentlemen friends.
On this occasion luck happened to fa-
vor our heroine Number Two kept for
tunately away until Number One had
left the coast clear for him. And when
he did come he brought gilded tickets for
the opera that night
" / shall be delighted, said Sybil, with
one Of those glances, which are 50 telling
when directed from dark orbs, fringed
with long lashes. Il adore Donizetti's
music
And when, at seven O'Clock, a hot
house bouquet arrived, in a filigree silver
holder and a card attached, bearing the
name Of Jameson Eldon," Sybil wasn't
quite certain but that she would afford
the preference to Number Two. after
all.
"George Neville is a splendid fellow"
thought she, but he never remembers
these delicate little attentions. do like
a man to havea vein of romance through
his nature p"
50 to the opera Miss Arden went in a
lovely white lace hat, with a water lily
pinned on its side, and white lace
shawl, borrowed from Old Miss Pettigrew,
who occupied Aunt James best room.
OF course there was a crowd-thene al
ways is a crowd on grand field nights at
the opera-and in coming out Mr.. Eldon's
coat button caught the tiny gold chain of
the bracelet and snapped it in two.
g am so sorry, cried Mr.. Eldon
" Pray don't mind it, Its of no conse-
quenoe at ALL" said sybil. ~only
bracelet that value from it's having been
a gift from dear mamma"
ALLOW me 10 take it, said Mr.. Eldon.
politely persistent will leave it at
Moss 4 Agate's tomorrow, and have it
mended.n
And TO this proposal Sybil scaeded
with the sweetest of smiles.
Mn. Eldon was as good as Lis word.
Before noon the next day he was in the
plate glass fronted emporium Of Messrs.
Moss & Agate.
Old Mr.. Agate viewed the bracelet
critically through his eyeglasses.
All, yes" said he, 1 remember il
very well. Ii was only last week that
Mr.. Neville got ii here"
Mr.. Eldon drew himself up a little
haughtily.
You are mistaken in the article, Ag-
ate, > said he. This bracelet is an heir
loom-a gift from the lady's mother"
Old Agaie's mouth expanded into a
grin.
Exactly" said he. " It's Miss Ard
ems, isn't it, Neville brought her here TO
look at it before he decided upon buying
it. Wasn't quite certain whether he lik
ed this best, OF a link bracelet with pearls
on the clasp. But the young lady had an
eye TO the main chance-she knew the
valne of emerlds like these, and-but
here comes Neville himself. Ask him.
You may ask whom you like" said
Eldon, still rather coldly, a but am quite
certain you ane laboring under misappne-
henson OF some nature
And Neville and Eldon bowed 10 each
other with something OF the available
sort 81 recognition one sees in two dogs